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In this paper, a numerical study of heat and mass transfer in counter-flow indirect evaporative air coolers is presented using an approach proposed by previous work. The mathematical model equations of continuity, momentum, energy and concentration are solved by the finite volume method to obtain the value of primary outlet dimensionless temperature. This mathematical model developed is validated against published data acquired from literature. The key target of presented analysis is to develop a performance correlation based on five dimensionless factors: ratio of channel length to half width of secondary air channel, ratio of water to secondary air mass flow rate, primary air inlet Reynolds number, secondary air inlet dimensionless temperature and water film inlet dimensionless temperature. Numerical simulations are performed by changing the value of each dimensionless factor under a constant value for other parameters. The simulation results are regressed to obtain the empirical constants of the correlation. The value of outlet dimensionless temperature is varied from 0.47 to 0.92. The developed correlation can predict the performance of the counter-flow indirect evaporative air coolers within a discrepancy of 12.6%. The correlation would be helpful to provide a simpler equation to improve the calculation speed within the engineering allowable accuracy range. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper is focuses on the numerical simulation and analysis of coupled heat and mass transfer under ice formation conditions in the cross-flow plate heat exchanger. The simulation is performed using the original mathematical model. The presented model was validated against experimental data. The obtained results showed satisfactory agreement with the data obtained from the experimental measurements. Numerical simulation reveals many unique features of considered heat exchanger connected with the heat and mass transfer occurring in the return air channel under ice formation conditions. The results of computer simulation showed that the efficiency gains are sensitive to various inlet conditions, and allow for estimation of the safe operating conditions for different inlet return airflow parameters, based not only on the exhaust air temperature but also on its relative humidity and different thermal efficiency of the exchanger. Several goals were achieved, including: establishing the most unfavorable operating conditions (from the standpoint of ice formation on the plate surface of the return air channels) for cross-flow plate heat exchanger, which correspond to the inlet value of the return airflow dew point temperature equaled to 0 °C, impact of the ice formation on temperature effectiveness, impact of inlet relative humidity on temperature effectiveness and safe operating conditions and safe operating conditions for variety of inlet exhaust air parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The mathematical model is useful for analyzing the heat exchanger performance. • The most probable variant of heat exchanger operation is established. • There is a risk of frost accumulation within the fixed-bed regenerator. The paper describes an original mathematical model of heat and mass transfer for a fixed bed regenerator used to determine the effect of internal airflow leakage on heat exchanger efficiency. First, the build and operating principles of a fixed-bed heat exchanger were discussed. The presence of internal leakage was shown along with a proposed solution for its elimination. Then, a mathematical model based on a modified ε-NTU method for numerical simulation and analysis of coupled heat and mass transfer in a fixed-bed heat exchanger was presented. The model was supplemented with an additional detailed submodel designed to determine frost surface temperature and frost growth analysis. Initial numerical simulations of the operation of the model were performed for low outdoor air temperature conditions. Different zones of heat and mass transfer within the regenerator matrix were distinguished. The presence of accumulated frost area and its influence on the course of heat and mass transfer processes was revealed. In addition, the presence of a relative humidity limit curve associated with a mass balance deficiency conditioning the occurrence of frost accumulation was established. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigates a mathematical simulation of the heat and mass transfer in the two different Maisotsenko Cycle (M-Cycle) heat and mass exchangers used for the indirect evaporative cooling in different air-conditioning systems. A two-dimensional heat and mass transfer model is developed to perform the thermal calculations of the indirect evaporative cooling process, thus quantifying the overall heat exchangers’ performance. The mathematical model was validated against the experimental data. Numerical simulations reveal many unique features of the considered units, enabling an accurate prediction of their performance. Results of the model allow for comparison of the two types of heat exchangers in different applications for air conditioning systems in order to obtain optimal efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]